Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat Chaliang is in the village of Chaliang, once a Khmer outpost about a mile south of Si Satchanalai. Believed to date from the 13th century, originally as a Khmer sanctuary, the monastery was restored and altered in the Ayutthaya period, as evidenced by its striking Ayutthaya-style central tower, or 'prang.' The style is a uniquely Thai design that evolved from the central tower found at early Khmer/Hindu sanctuaries. A few more photos of this temple can be seen in the gallery titled "Si Satchanalai."

Si Satchanalai : Wat Mahathat Chaliang

Sitting atop a laterite arch at the main entryway to the temple grounds, this four-faced guardian figure keeps watch over all four cardinal directions. The image is believed to represent either Brahma or Avalokitesvara, the bodhisattva of compassion in Mahayana Buddhist belief.

Another side of the monument that sits above the entrance to the temple

The temple's principal Buddha image sits in bhumisparsa mudra before the central tower.

At the front of the central tower is this sculpture of a Sukhothai-style Walking Buddha.

The prang, or central tower, is similar in style to those initially developed at Ayutthaya during the 14th century, which were modeled after the central tower found at early Khmer temples. An 'entrance' is placed at each of the cardinal directions, all false but the one on the east.

Two seated Buddha figures in the ruins of a temple structure in back of the central sanctuary

Also behind the central sanctuary is this enormous standing Buddha in abhaya mudra.

Time has clearly taken its toll on this Buddha image . . .

. . . whose head now rests on the ground nearby.

A thewada, or guardian spirit, on the gable board of the building in the background seems to watch over the guardian figure that sits over the entry to the inner temple.